Pacific bonito
📖 Overview
An inshore species that forms schools by size . Feeds on a variety of small schooling fishes, squids and shrimps . An important food fish .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Physical description for Pacific bonito is currently being compiled.
🌀 Behaviour
Pacific bonito usually travel in schools. This species migrates up the coast with the seasons. They can migrate up to 600 miles and move south in the winter where temperatures are warmer and north for the summer.
🦐 Diet
Fish and squid are its main diet. Bonitos were found to eat primarily Northern Anchovy. They have also been known to eat rockfish, hake, sardines, saury and mackerel. From January to June, during their spawning season, they have been found to eat equal amounts of mackerel and squid.
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous . Subtropical; 61°N - 20°N Northeast Pacific: Off the coast of Alaska (60°16'N, 145°32'W) to Cabo San Lucas at the tip of Baja California (22°20'N, 112°27'W) and Revillagigedo Islands.
🌿 Ecology
a variety of small schooling fishes, squids and shrimps (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- heavy 30-80 lb class trolling rod
- conventional reel
- 80-130 lb wind-on leader
- temperature breaks
- floating debris
- current edges
- offshore seamounts
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ International management (ICCAT, WCPFC). Strict quotas and size limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Pacific bonito is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20.7 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 353 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Pacific bonito has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (oily fish average)
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pelamys lineolata | Girard | 1858 | Synonym |
| Sarda chiliensis lineolata | Girard | 1858 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 11 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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